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Cheddar & Onion Cheese Ball

Our classic cheese ball recipe starts with cream cheese (of course) and is perked up with four types of onion, plus garlic and sharp white cheddar, for a truly, madly, deliciously cheesy cheese ball.

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Cheddar And Onion Cheeseball on a platter with crackers

Grandma Knows Best.

If the design world is having a “grandmillenial” moment, you might say that over here in the food world, we’re having something along those lines as well. Between this cheese ball recipe, and the Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip we shared a few weeks ago, we’re diving deep into the retro favorites of our childhood. The Christmas dinners of our childhoods always kicked off with a celebrational cheese ball—covered in bright green chives, it held a place of honor right smack in the middle of Grandma’s appetizer spread. That creamy, savory mound was where all the cousins would gather. With black olives on our fingers and a hungry gleam in our eyes, we’d attack that cheese ball like nobody’s business. Santa can keep his candy canes—just pass the crackers and let us at that cheese ball!

ingredients laid out for Cheddar And Onion Cheeseball chives, cream cheese
cream cheese, cheddar and spices in a food processor
cream cheese, cheddar and spices blended in a food processor
cream cheese, cheddar and spices blended in a food processor green onions

5 Reasons This Is Best Cheese Ball Recipe of All.

As if you needed a reason to make a cheese ball. Oh, you do? OK, well how about five reasons?

  1. Our classic cheese ball recipe calls for not one, not two, not three (but you’re getting warmer), but FOUR kinds of onions. Scallions, onion powder and dried minced onions go into the cheese ball itself, and chives decorate the outside for a pop of green color that really brings this otherwise-very-beige appetizer to life.
  2. Let’s talk about those onions one more time. Specifically the “minced onions”, by which we mean a dehydrated onion product like this or this. Look for it in the spice aisle!
  3. Sharp cheddar cheese. We call for white cheddar, because it helps make this dip nice and uniform in color, but if you prefer yellow sharp cheddar, that’ll work too.
  4. Our beloved garlic powder. You might be tempted to use real garlic cloves here, but don’t! Garlic powder is perfect here, because it will blend seamlessly into the cream cheese mixture in a way that fresh garlic cloves could only dream of. DO make sure you’re garlic powder is fresh, though—if it’s more than six months old, toss it and buy some new.
  5. You can make it ahead of time! Like, way ahead. Mix this cheese ball up a few days before you’d like to serve it, and leave it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge until party time.
cream cheese, cheddar and spices blended in a food processor
Cheddar And Onion Cheeseball 6
Cheddar And Onion Cheeseball 7
rolling cheddar cheese ball in chives and dried minced onions

How to Make a Cheese Ball

Cheese balls of old called for products that are hard to find these days—mysterious jarred cheeses and so on. But our easy cheese ball recipe relies on everyday ingredients and comes together fast. Break out the food processor—this beloved holiday appetizer will be ready in no time. Here’s how to make our classic cheese ball:

  1. Blend the cheeses, garlic powder, dried & powdered onion, salt and pepper. Toss in the scallions and pulse it again.
  2. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
  3. Chill. For a long time—four hours, or ideally overnight.
  4. Roll the finished ball in a crunchy, colorful combo of chives and a few more of those dried, minced onions.
  5. Serve!
Cheddar And Onion Cheeseball on a plate

All Your Cheese Ball FAQs, Answered.

  • Can I freeze a cheese ball? Yes! When you wrap the cheese ball in the plastic wrap, just wrap it up in a few extra layers of plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer. The day before you’d like to serve it, move it to the fridge to thaw. Roll it in the chives and minced onions after thawing.
  • What should I serve with a cheese ball? How about a glass of wine and a giant spoon? Kidding kidding (kind of.) A cheese ball is sort of like a molded dip, so serve it with anything you’d normal pair with a cheesy, creamy dip—think buttery crackers, dippable veggies, or even sliced baguette.
  • Will my friends like this? Isn’t this kind of a grandma food? Heck yes, and yes! Grandma knew what was up. Cheese balls are budget-friendly, easy to make and easy to love. And they’re a perfect Christmas food—totally indulgent, totally bad for you, a total treat.

Tools You’ll Need:

  • A food processor makes this cheese ball come together so fast, but you could also mix the cream cheese mixture with a hand-held beater, in a pinch.
  • Large bowl.
  • Plastic wrap.
  • Sharp knife.

Our Most Popular Holiday Appetizer Recipes:

Tis the season to feed a crowd, and we’ve got your back.

Cheddar And Onion Cheeseball on a platter with crackers

Easy Cheesy.

We’d be so honored if you make our recipes part of your holiday celebrations! Snap a photo of your holiday cheese ball and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you feed it to, and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so we can see! Happy eating!

Cheddar & Onion Cheese Ball

  • Serves: 10
  • Prep Time:  20 min
  • Cook Time:  0 min
  • Calories: 239

Ingredients

  • 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, brought to room temp
  • 1 ½ cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 3 green onions, minced (about ⅓ cup)
  • ⅓ cup dried minced onions, divided
  • ¼ cup chives, cup chopped

Method

  1. In a food processor, blend cream cheese along with cheddar cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt and 2 tablespoons of the dried, minced onions. Blend until smooth. Add the green onions and pulse until green onions are just combined.
  2. Scrape the cheese ball mixture into a plastic wrap lined, medium-sized bowl. Gather the plastic wrap tightly around the cream cheese ball mixture. Using your hands to shape it into a ball. Chill until firm, 4–12 hours.
  3. Just before serving, toast the remaining dried minced onions in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown—about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. (This step is completely optional and is for the sake of color and a yummy toasted flavor.)
  4. Spread the dried minced onions and chives in a pie pan or baking dish. Remove cream cheese mixture from refrigerator and form it into a ball with your hands. Gently roll the cheese ball in the minced onion-chive mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Serve with your favorite cracker.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories239
  • Protein8 g
  • Carbohydrates6 g
  • Total Fat21 g
  • Dietary Fiber1 g
  • Cholesterol64 mg
  • sodium310 mg
  • Total Sugars3 g

Cheddar & Onion Cheese Ball

Questions & Reviews

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  • Jenn

    Delicious! It's a must for parties now!

    Thank you Jenn, that is so great to hear!